10 best senior discounts, passes, & perks in Reno

Your senior years come with perks. Here’s a look at 10 of the best senior discounts in the Reno/Sparks area.

There are many perks to the golden years, but senior discounts are probably the coolest. These special savings are like a reward for something you were doing anyway—aging gracefully.

Mature residents in the Reno-Sparks area may already know about senior discounts at chains like movie theaters, stores, restaurants, and gyms. But there are also opportunities for seniors to save a few bucks on local museum visits, transportation, staycations, outdoor recreation, and even adopting a new best friend.

Here’s a look at 10 of the best senior discounts, passes, and perks in the Reno-Sparks area.

1. Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center

1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno

A historic landmark in Reno since 1963, the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center immerses the community in atmospheric science with space-themed shows, exhibits, and a store.

Shows about the cosmos are the main event with screenings in the Full-Dome Theater on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visuals are out of this world thanks to a first-of-its-kind, 360-degree projector. Admission includes access to exhibits like a meteor collection, NASA driving modules, and science fiction artifacts. 

Seniors (ages 60 and up) receive a reduced $10 admission. Get tickets here.

Seniors receive a reduced $10 admission to the attractions at the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center. (Jeffrey Beall/CC BY-SA 3.0)

2. Diamond Peak Ski Resort

1210 Ski Way, Incline Village

A short drive from Reno and Washoe Valley, community-owned Diamond Peak Ski Resort has a hookup for senior skiers aged 80 and up: They ski for free.

The deal includes the ski lift and a season pass. You can’t do much better than that unless the resort pays you. Visit the ski resort’s website for more information.

3. National Automobile Museum

1 Museum Drive

See over 200 collected and preserved cars, including Elvis Presley’s 1973 Cadillac Eldorado and the 1949 Mercury Eight, driven by James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause,” at the National Automobile Museum. Experiences range from themed car displays to art and historical exhibits.

Opened in 1989, the museum primarily contains cars from the collection of William F. Harrah, the founder of Harrah’s Hotel and Casinos. Cars span the decades back to the 1890s.

Tickets for seniors (ages 62 and up) are only $13, a $2 discount.

Seniors receive $2 off the adult admission price at the National Automobile Museum in Reno. (Tobias Haase/CC BY-SA 2.0)

4. Peppermill Resort

2707 South Virginia Street

Treat yourself to a luxurious staycation at the AAA-Four Diamond Peppermill Resort in Reno. As a senior (55 and up), you’ll get a $10 discount on your room rate. 

A locals’ favorite, the eco-conscious hotel generates geothermal energy from a well on the property. Along with your room or suite, you’ll have access to the full-service spa, pools, the casino, several bars–including the iconic Fireside Lounge–and nine award-winning restaurants. Book a room at Peppermill.

5. Nevada Museum of Art

160 West Liberty Street

Nevada’s only American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited art museum, the Nevada Museum of Art provides art and cultural experiences with paintings, photographs, sculptures, drawings, and prints, including local, national, and world-famous artists. 

The innovative museum emphasizes art that explores the interaction between humans and nature.

Tickets for seniors (ages 62 and up) are only $13, a $2 discount. Get tickets.

Seniors receive $2 off the adult admission price at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. (Omar Bárcena/CC BY-SA 2.0)

6. Farmers’ Markets

If you’re a low-income senior (age 60 and up), you may be eligible for a free coupon book worth $30 of locally-grown produce.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coupon Book can be exchanged for fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at Farmer’s Markets in Reno, Sparks, and Carson City. The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) started the program to help supplement the diets of low-income seniors while supporting Nevada’s farmers.

Coupon books are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the coupon book website. 

7. Amtrak fare

280 N. Center Street

Whether visiting grandkids in another state or going on a grand vacation, Amtrak is a great way to reach your destination. 

You can ride the rails from the Reno train station along 21,000 route miles in the U.S. and Canada, and get there fast at speeds up to 150 miles per hour. Best of all, travelers 65 and over receive a 10 percent discount on most rail fares. Score! Learn more on the Amtrak website.

Are you a senior? Next time you take an Amtrak train, you’ll get 10 percent off the fare. (Don Barrett/CC BY-SA 2.0)

8. Taxi fare

It isn’t only trains in Reno that offer discounts on transportation. 

The Washoe Senior Ride Taxi Bucks program subsidizes seniors (60 and up) taking taxi rides. Washoe County residents who register for the program receive a monthly $60 taxi fare. Visit the RTC website for more information.

That’s a good deal considering the meter is running!

9. National park fees

Head out to Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, Tule Springs Fossil Beds, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area—or a treasured national park out of state—and save a little money with a special senior pass.

If you’re a senior (62 and up), check out the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This handy dandy pass covers entrance (one vehicle) and standard day-use fees at lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers.

The cost is only $20 for seniors. A lifetime version is $80. To learn more, visit the NPS website.

With a $20 park pass, seniors can visit many lands managed by the National Park Service, including Nevada’s Great Basin National Park. (Aleza Freeman)

10. Nevada Humane Society

2825 Longley Lane

The Nevada Humane Society knows that adopting a shelter cat or dog is an immeasurable gift for the owner and the pet. 

Senior people and animals, in particular, are a perfect pairing. Senior pets provide companionship and improved well-being. They’re often easier to care for than a younger pet since they’re already trained and aren’t as active. Plus, in the animals’ eyes,  the seniors who adopt them are their saviors. 

The Seniors for Seniors program provides a 50 percent discount on adoption fees for seniors, aged 65 and older, adopting a pet, aged seven or older. That’s half off a whole lot of joy with your new best friend.

Visit the Nevada Humane Society website for more information.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.